How autistic are you...

SteveR_100Milers

Are You Autistic?

I can take the odd photo and sketch a bit, does that count?

Anonymous

What next ? You post up a disgusting pic taking the mickey out of Downs syndrome, now an Autism test.

Wheelchair manouvres ?

Signing comps ?

FFS.

Cleat Eastwood

Its a genuine test designed by a man considered to be the leading expert in his field. You may like to google his experience. I have friend who has an autistic daughter and she ( the woman,) has been denied the opportunity to donate her eggs for ivf treatment because of this one incident of apsergers occurring in her family. Mr Baron Cohen has taken an interest in her situation and corresponds with her about the effect this prejudice is having on her 7 year olds upbringing.

She has now added your prejudice to her correspondence. Your attitude continues a belief that those with social skills that can be measured on a spectrum are somehow lesser beings.

I Think its you who to whom the FFS should be addressed.

If ignorance is bliss dmclite you must be a very happy man indeed.

finchy

Cleat Eastwood - dmclite has posted on here quite a few times about having autistic children (so I'm sure he won't mind me bringing it up), so it's certainly not just prejudice on his part.

Looking at dmclite's post, I guess that he was insulted and what he perceives to be turning autism into some form of entertainment.

When I first saw the site you've linked to, I thought the same thing as I guess dmclite is thinking, but at a second glance I think that it might be aimed more at raising awareness of what autism is (or isn't), but the site could be more specific if that is the case.

BillyMansell

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

She has now added your prejudice to her correspondence. Your attitude continues a belief that those with social skills that can be measured on a spectrum are somehow lesser beings.

It's a huge leap to suggest that dmclite believes that assessing people on the spectrum for their social skills means that they view them as lesser beings and probably speaks more of your own view of the judgemental nature of society, but then society's attitude to people on the autism spectrum is screwed up which is why since March 2010 we now have an autism strategy to address the discrimination they face.

I have Asperger's and yet I understood dmclite's view that it's of questionable taste to take a tool designed to assess the social skills of an individual and to turn it into a pop quiz for people to have a laugh.

Having said that, it was many years ago that I had my suspicions of my own autism and wanted an easy way to test myself, so searched on the internet for this test, took the results to my GP and got a referral to specialist services for a clinical assessment. I can't remember what score I got but it must have been high.

If ignorance is bliss dmclite you must be a very happy man indeed.

Pleases save us the ad hominem comments unless you have something tell us about your own social skills. ''

whyamihere

I scored 38.

My mum works with autistic children, and as she learned more about it, delighted in telling me how clearly she could see that I was pretty obviously on the spectrum with hindsight. Fortunately I'm relatively sociable (relative to some autistic people, compared to most of the general population I'm a complete loner who rarely utters a word), and the pattern recognition and number obsession really helps with my physics degree.

Mettan

22 - It would be different 10 years ago - and no doubt it'll be different in 10 years time. A loss of confidence would increase your score by 5 - 10 I'd imagine :idea:

richk

38. Doesn't surprise me. My best man was a psychiatric nurse & told me about aspergers. Was several years till I realised what he was really trying to tell me.

pneumatic

I saw this thread as a really good way of de-stigmatising discussion of a sensitive issue.

Mental health and well-being is regrettably still a really risky topic of conversation but I've known so many people who have suffered so much by having to to bottle up disclosure of their dyslexia, autism, agoraphobia, anxiety, depression and workplace stress, that I err on the side of taking the risk.

The downs syndrome thing was out of order, but I think this is a bit different, especially as it links to Baron-Cohen's work. It is through his influence that I feel able to boast about my synaesthesia rather than regard it as a freakish abnormality.

By the way, Ute Frith's book on Autism in the Oxford Very Short Introductions series is a really good and accessible place to find out more about the condition.

Pokerface

dmclite wrote:

What next ? You post up a disgusting pic taking the mickey out of Downs syndrome, now an Autism test.

Wheelchair manouvres ?

Signing comps ?

FFS.

Don't you have an autistic child? If so, I can possibly understand your indignation - however - there was no malice whatsoever in the post (or the test) and if anything helps raise the profile of the affliction. (And now I'm genuinely worried I may have autistic tendencies - but it would certainly explain a lot.)

(Plus - I wouldn't get upset if someone made 'gimp' comments or started making fun of amputees, etc. Thicken up the skin a bit mate).

Anyway - it may not be you with the autistic child(ren). I know someone on the forum does and I knew it was only a matter of time until this post blew up!

Anonymous

Pokerface wrote:

dmclite wrote:

What next ? You post up a disgusting pic taking the mickey out of Downs syndrome, now an Autism test.

Wheelchair manouvres ?

Signing comps ?

FFS.

Don't you have an autistic child? If so, I can possibly understand your indignation - however - there was no malice whatsoever in the post (or the test) and if anything helps raise the profile of the affliction. (And now I'm genuinely worried I may have autistic tendencies - but it would certainly explain a lot.)

(Plus - I wouldn't get upset if someone made 'gimp' comments or started making fun of amputees, etc. Thicken up the skin a bit mate).

Anyway - it may not be you with the autistic child(ren). I know someone on the forum does and I knew it was only a matter of time until this post blew up!

Yes, my 2 sons, Matthew and Robert are both autistic.

I cannot trust the intentions of Cleateastwood after he posted a photo of a Downs syndrome child in a previous thread to get some laughs. ( The subjct matter was a fabric softener called Downy and had a pic of a young girl with Downs on the cover with crossed eyes) I got the post pulled by the mod's and that is why I have to question his posting of this subject.
My skin is pretty thick but when it comes down to my children I am protective and proud of that, they have already been in tears due to the ignorance and prejiduce of adults.
I wonder what Cleateastwoods intentions are and why ?

Don't get how someone can post up such disparaging posts and be taken seriously, or at least objectively, in his intent ?

bookwormhk

Thanks for the link - it helps me understand where I stand and what it might mean to me.

asquithea

34

Socially awkward maybe, but not (as far as I know) autistic...

zanes

pneumatic wrote:

I saw this thread as a really good way of de-stigmatising discussion of a sensitive issue.

Mental health and well-being is regrettably still a really risky topic of conversation but I've known so many people who have suffered so much by having to to bottle up disclosure of their dyslexia, autism, agoraphobia, anxiety, depression and workplace stress, that I err on the side of taking the risk.

The downs syndrome thing was out of order, but I think this is a bit different, especially as it links to Baron-Cohen's work. It is through his influence that I feel able to boast about my synaesthesia rather than regard it as a freakish abnormality.

+1.

disquieting_museeuws

I saw this animation from the 1940's the other day which interested me (Heider-Simmel Demonstration). I gather the idea is that most people construct a narrative out of it (the 'story' actually scared me a bit when I first saw it), whereas others just see random movements.

Note: It's only geometric shapes moving around, and there is no hidden agenda to posting it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZBKer6PMtM

Cleat Eastwood

pneumatic wrote:

I saw this thread as a really good way of de-stigmatising discussion of a sensitive issue.

Mental health and well-being is regrettably still a really risky topic of conversation but I've known so many people who have suffered so much by having to to bottle up disclosure of their dyslexia, autism, agoraphobia, anxiety, depression and workplace stress, that I err on the side of taking the risk.

.

Exactly.

The purpose of posting the link was two fold. Firstly as a sister thread highlighting a means of testing a personality in response to Rick Chaseys link, and secondly because someone referred to a posters harsh reality on facts as being autistic (to which dcmlite asked quite reasonably why use the phrase as a means of abuse).

It struck me as odd that many people fit the autistic profile without realising it, why call someone autistic when one is autistic?

The point about the downs imaage is that its just an image, if you find it offensive the fault is with your prejudice about how you see diability. They the disabled are THEM, the OTHER, we mustn't treat them as we treat everyone else, isnt that right dcmlite?

Well having worked in disability arts I have to disagree. There was a dadafest I was involved in and the climax to it was a stage show with disable artists, naked, on stage (sorry dcmlite if that concept offends but yes disabled artists do exist and do not need your permission to practice their art). The point of the performance was to move away from the commonly held belief amongst the disabled that they have to justify their "condition".

I've also worked with Lawrence Clark, one of the best stand ups around, a guy with a PHD with truly biting satire.....never heard of him or seen him? No because Lawrence had cerebral palsy, and the media can't offend dcmlites of this world by showing such people in a normal light.

I'm sure dcmlite cares deeply for his children and I'm sure he has very grave concerns for their future; but dcmlite, a future populated by people with your view that disability places the individual outside of "normal" social mores will lead to a future for your children filled with bias and sadness.

Asking for threads to be banned because you find the images offensive but posting comments about wanting to beat people with a stick is well....if your vocab stretches to it you can insert the word, i know what I think it is.

OPen your mind dcmlite, change your ignorant ways, there is no template for perfection, and no amount of regimented primitive thinking will ever make it so.

finchy

cleateastwood - as I have already posted, dmclite is NOT prejudiced against the disabled. He obviously felt that you were mocking the disabled.

With this autism thread, I believe that you had good intentions, but dmclite still has in mind the other cartoon.

What was the cartoon? And what were your intentions in posting it on the forum?

Having read what you have to say about your work with the disabled, I don't think that you are prejudiced, but you aren't really explaining yourself very well, and it's a bit daft to have two people who care about disabled rights to be at loggerheads on here.

Anonymous

Cleat Eastwood wrote:

pneumatic wrote:

I saw this thread as a really good way of de-stigmatising discussion of a sensitive issue.

Mental health and well-being is regrettably still a really risky topic of conversation but I've known so many people who have suffered so much by having to to bottle up disclosure of their dyslexia, autism, agoraphobia, anxiety, depression and workplace stress, that I err on the side of taking the risk.

.

Exactly.

The purpose of posting the link was two fold. Firstly as a sister thread highlighting a means of testing a personality in response to Rick Chaseys link, and secondly because someone referred to a posters harsh reality on facts as being autistic (to which dcmlite asked quite reasonably why use the phrase as a means of abuse).

It struck me as odd that many people fit the autistic profile without realising it, why call someone autistic when one is autistic?

The point about the downs imaage is that its just an image, if you find it offensive the fault is with your prejudice about how you see diability. They the disabled are THEM, the OTHER, we mustn't treat them as we treat everyone else, isnt that right dcmlite?

Well having worked in disability arts I have to disagree. There was a dadafest I was involved in and the climax to it was a stage show with disable artists, naked, on stage (sorry dcmlite if that concept offends but yes disabled artists do exist and do not need your permission to practice their art). The point of the performance was to move away from the commonly held belief amongst the disabled that they have to justify their "condition".

I've also worked with Lawrence Clark, one of the best stand ups around, a guy with a PHD with truly biting satire.....never heard of him or seen him? No because Lawrence had cerebral palsy, and the media can't offend dcmlites of this world by showing such people in a normal light.

I'm sure dcmlite cares deeply for his children and I'm sure he has very grave concerns for their future; but dcmlite, a future populated by people with your view that disability places the individual outside of "normal" social mores will lead to a future for your children filled with bias and sadness.

Asking for threads to be banned because you find the images offensive but posting comments about wanting to beat people with a stick is well....if your vocab stretches to it you can insert the word, i know what I think it is.

OPen your mind dcmlite, change your ignorant ways, there is no template for perfection, and no amount of regimented primitive thinking will ever make it so.

I think you need to read "To kill a Mockingbird", and see what Atticus says in his closing speech of the court case and how he explains his actions to his children.

I think you have me wrong, in no way shape or form am I predijuiced against anyone with disabilities, I can't see how you would rationally come to that conclusion. It would mean I would not involve myself in my childrens school life, they are in special provision with a range of other ASD children. I would not be going to seminars, clubs and discussions on ways of involving and helping my sons and others with similar issues.

I still hold that the image you posted was offensive and in poor taste. I think your take on how my children will suffer under my parenting is limited and completely un-informed. Everything about my 2 boys is wonderful and inclusion for them is paramount, I just want them to be happy and to be able to ingnore the ignorant and offensive as much as they can.

The "beating with a stick", comment was very definitely tongue in cheek, I would no more attack anyone with a plank, than I would pi$$ on a war memorial or post deeply horrible images for a laugh, no matter how provoked I was.

Your conclusions about me are wrong, flawed and badly put across.

howieduck

I just scored 45!

plug1n

41 but I knew that anyway.....

What brought it home to me was the "eyes test" - trying to determine feelings from pictures of eyes (happy, sad, angry, just got to the top of a big climb...., etc)

Maybe I've been lucky but I hold down a good job, feed the family and so on.

I think cycling is probably good for a lot of people with Asperger's syndrome, at least to balance the common obsession with food, and the repetitive spinning is relaxing.

If I listen to Glenn Gould - there is no stigma or limit in Asperger's syndrome

jim453

Not sure that cleat was suggesting dmclite was prejudiced against those with disabilities. Thats what john finch wrongly understanded him to be saying.

As for the picture of the child with downs. Sounds pretty tasteless. If not, offensive. But who knows? It got removed after a complaint so we can't make our own decisions. Shame but perhaps for the best. Again, who knows?

I didn't do the test because I couldn't be bothered.

meanredspider

I think it's great to have this on here. I have two employees in my team: one who is diagnosed as having Aspergers and one who I (and others) strongly suspect of having Aspergers.

I welcome opportunities for people to self-identify the propensity to autism. Our issue is to help this individual determine whether he is or not. For the guy who has Aspergers, his and our understanding of it has helped all of us no end in designing his work to best employ his different way of thinking. He's so much happier and so are we.

The point with autism is that it is a different way of thinking. Whilst it is possible to reasonable quickly identify the needs of, say, a deaf person, I believe it's much harder to put yourself in the position of someone who thinks and perceives the world differently. Physical disabilities are more obvious and maybe more easily diagnosed. Tests like this one help determine the propensity to austism and, as such, have to be a good thing.

My son was recently diagnosed with cancer after over two years of strange and unusual symptoms. I only wish there was this type of test available for that disease.

finchy

jim453 wrote:

Not sure that cleat was suggesting dmclite was prejudiced against those with disabilities. Thats what john finch wrongly understanded him to be saying.

cleat eastwood wrote:

She has now added your prejudice to her correspondence. Your attitude continues a belief that those with social skills that can be measured on a spectrum are somehow lesser beings.

jim453

You don't get it, do you?

Any way dmclite can presumably speak for himself.

It was a mistake to get involved. For both of us.

finchy

jim453 wrote:

You don't get it, do you?

Any way dmclite can presumably speak for himself.

It was a mistake to get involved. For both of us.

Don't get what? If you're going to say something like that, at least be so kind as to tell me what "it" is.

I wasn't trying to speak for dmclite, I just saw an argument erupting over what was possibly a misunderstanding. I wasn't trying to take sides with dmclite or cleat - I wanted to point out that this is probably a misunderstanding, that is all,

I was always raised with the belief that if you can help stop an end to fighting then do it.

cougie

And the test is developed by Ali G's cousin. A talented family !

garrynolan

I got 34! Not sure where that puts me but being out of work for over two years - losing routine - probably hasn't helped. Very interesting argument/discussion between the OP and dmclite... they need to talk face-to-face as research shows that only 7% of communication is words - the rest is visual (55%) and vocal (tone, pitch etc) 38%. Has that info just proved my score...?

freehub

I got 30 and I'm socially shite.

Pross

Scored 9, I see the point that John Finch made about the answers being easy to detect and agree to some point but if you give honest answers it should be a reasonable assessment. Also, those higher up the autistic spectrum would arguably not be as able to determine which answers are likely to give the lowest scores.

rick_chasey

Most of us know someone who is austistic.

I don't think you can read too much into a little questionaire, but at least it holds the notion that autism is a sliding scale, which it is, and thus the definition of 'autism' is a grey area, and a fuzzy line at best.

I know family members who have struggled with the how autism is defined, with regard to funding, help, etc.